SCOTTDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Before the realigned Big 12 — sans Oklahoma and Texas —even kicks off, the expanded College Football Playoff’s new revenue structure has created a perception that the conference is no longer the equal of the Big Ten and Southeastern Conference.
Instead of a Power Five, college football now has a “Big Two,” with the expanded SEC, now home to the Sooners and Longhorns, and Big Ten at the top of the pack.
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark’s job is to push back against the narrative that bigger bank accounts automatically means better football teams.
“As I’ve said before, I’m betting on the Big 12,” Yormark said Wednesday after wrapping up two days of meetings with the conference’s athletic directors and football and basketball coaches.
The Big 12 becomes a 16-team conference this upcoming season with the additions of former Pac-12 schools Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.